What is Tail Trauma?
Injuries to the tail, no matter how apparently minor, warrant veterinary attention as there is no way for the owner to know the full extent of tail damage. Before rushing your cat off the vet, however, call ahead as the vet may be able to advise you over the phone if the injury is minor.
Tail trauma in cats is usually the result of accidental injury. A cat’s tail extends from the spine. The tail is an important part of a cat’s body as it provides them with a sense of direction and balance as well and there are nerves at the top of the tail that provide control over their bowels. There are no breed, sex, or age predispositions for developing tail trauma, although outdoor cats have a higher risk for experiencing tail trauma than indoor cats do.
Tail Trauma Average Cost
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Average Cost
$350
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Symptoms of Tail Trauma in Cats
Tail trauma can range in severity. It may be as minor as a small scrape or as severe as complete paralysis. Other symptoms may also be present depending on the cause of the trauma. In any case, seek immediate veterinary attention as soon as you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Limp tail
- Swelling along the tail
- Difficulty urinating and/or defecating
- Lack of or no movement in the tail
- Inability to hold the tail up
- Signs of pain
- Fur loss
- Skin damage
- Bleeding
Types
Many types of tail trauma may occur in cats, including, but not limited to:
- Abrasions
- Abscesses
- Fractures
- Dislocation
- Nerve damage
- Complete paralysis
Causes of Tail Trauma in Cats
The primary cause of tail trauma in cats is accidental injury. These injuries may range in severity, from the tail simply being shut in a door to being hit by a car. The tail is also a common area for cat bite abscesses to occur.
Diagnosis of Tail Trauma in Cats
Call your vet as soon as you can to let them know what happened; they will be able to advise you on whether or not an appointment is necessary to evaluate the damage. During the appointment, your vet will be able to make a tentative diagnosis based on a thorough physical examination and presentation of symptoms. Be sure to inform your vet of the extent and duration of your cat’s symptoms, as well as any recent accidents that may be the cause of the tail trauma.
The appearance of the tail is usually sufficient for making the definitive diagnosis. However, in more severe cases of tail trauma, blood count, urinalysis, x-rays, and other standard diagnostic testing may be utilized, particularly if the tail appears to be paralyzed.
Treatment of Tail Trauma in Cats
Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the trauma. Your vet will be able to advise you on a treatment plan based on your cat’s specific needs.
In minor cases of abrasions, treatment may not be necessary. For more severe abrasions, a tail wrap, coupled with the use of antibiotic ointments, may assist in the healing process. However, bandages aren't used that often as it can be tricky to get them to stay on and they minimise ventilation to the tail skin. In some extremely severe cases, tail shortening (amputation) may be required.
If there is a fracture in the tail, treatment will vary depending on the severity of the fracture. Minor fractures may not require any treatment at all. If the fracture is more severe and the bones in the tail have been crushed, amputation may be required. If the tail is broken, it may be able to heal by itself depending on the location and extent of the break. Surgery may be required, although vets tend to prefer to allow the tail to heal on its own before taking this route.
Nerve damage may require more invasive treatment. Depending on the severity and extent of the nerve damage, surgery may be required to restore normal bowel and/or urinary function. If the tail has been completely paralyzed, amputation is generally required. In some cases, full nerve function may return after a month or longer.
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Recovery of Tail Trauma in Cats
Recovery and prognosis will vary depending on the cause and severity of tail trauma. Always follow your vet’s post-treatment and/or post-operative instructions carefully. Never apply any ointments made for human use unless specifically instructed to do so by your vet. Remember, any ointments applied will tend to be licked off and ingested! A buster collar may be needed to stop the cat licking the tail.
You will generally want to limit your cat’s outdoor activity during the recovery period. You may also have to assist your cat in urinating and defecating normally if the tail has undergone nerve damage, is limp, or otherwise unable to move.
If your cat has undergone surgery or amputation, do not allow them to irritate the surgery site. Ensure they have a warm, safe place to rest for the duration of the recovery period. Your vet will be able to advise you on helping your cat adjust following amputation.
Your vet may or may not schedule follow-up appointments as needed to monitor healing. If you have any questions, or if the tail does not seem to be healing with treatment, contact your vet immediately.
Tail Trauma Average Cost
From 517 quotes ranging from $100 - $800
Average Cost
$350
Top
Tail Trauma Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Siamese/domestic shorthair
Five Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Tail Only Going About Halfway Up
My female cat was playing rough with her brother and now her tail is only going about halfway up. She has improved since it happened about a week ago. She's eating and drinking like normal, playing and jumping the same, and going to the bathroom the same. She is no pain from what I can tell. I've felt up and down her tail, back, and hips multiple times with no negative reaction. She can move the whole tail all the way down to the tip. I don't know if she twisted it weird while playing and now it's just sore or if she got body slammed into her tail or if she somehow sprained it. Any help?
Aug. 7, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. She may have damaged the nerves to her tail. Unfortunately, without being able to examine her, I can't say what might be going on for sure. Since it seems to be continuing over a week, it would probably be a good idea to have her seen by a veterinarian,as they can examine her and see if there are any treatments that might help.
I hope that she is okay.
Aug. 8, 2020
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Gray tabby?
Unk at least 8
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Limp Tail, Urinating In Sleep
Hello, I've had my stray cat for 8 years and hes always had a limp tail and a tiny dribble when he sleep pees. Now he is sleep peeing buckets! I'm worried. He doesn't seem to be in any pain. I dont know what kind of trauma he has had.
July 29, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
1 Recommendations
Hello,
So sorry to hear about your cat. If your cat is peeing a lot, it would be best for your vet to run some bloodwork. We worry about kidney disease or diabetes when cats are peeing a lot. Your vet would be able to run these tests and see exactly what is causing these issues. Good Luck.
July 29, 2020
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Unknown
Three Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Limp Tail
my cat has a pretty active tail. She was fine all day yesterday and then all of a sudden her tail just went limp. Other than the limp tail she seems perfectly fine though. Still playing and jumping around and being her normal self. I don't believe there was any Injury that I saw. So I dont know what happened. She seems to be able to use the base of her tail or head of it. She can lift that part but the rest of the tail is just limp. I don't know if this is something that is normal and maybe will fix itself or if she needs to go to the vet. Tried to add some photos.
July 27, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Thank you for your question.
There has probably been an injury to her tail, as this doesn't tend to happen for no reason. If she goes outside, she may have had some trauma that caused this. It does not seem normal to me, and I think it would be a good idea to have her seen by a veterinarian - they will be able to examine her and give you treatment options.
I hope that all goes well for her!
July 27, 2020
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Am.short hair
Baby
2 Weeks
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
One of my feral mommas has a kitten with the last 1/2 of its tail hairless, dry and stiff. It is almost callus like with an actual "ring" around it where the hair stops. Any idea what happened? This babie is now about 2 weeks old and seems to be thriving.
Sept. 17, 2018
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Dlh
Dippy
14 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Tail Limp
So my sweet Dippy boy has been acting a little of for the last day, tonight I noticed that his tail looks limp. Normally he is all about "tail communication" wagging and flicking it around and no it it just hanging down. I convinced him to let me check it out and I didn't notice and bumps, lumps or kinks, but does seem to be causing him some discomfort. It seems to go limp about 2 inches from the base of his rump. I did notice as he walked away he was slightly flicking the end of it, but not nearly the normal amount of motion. I know he is being Macho and doesn't want to show any pain but I know it is hurting him. I know that I should take him to the vet, but it is after 1 in the morning and ned to know If i should take him to an emergency clinic or if it can wait till the morning.
Sept. 13, 2018
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short hair
micky
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Floppy Tail (Dead Tail)
my cat was bitten by a stray cat on the head of his tail. I found him the morning after the attack quite tired and the base of his tail hurt him. I also observed that he couldn't move it or lift his tail up and down. I was quite confused and decided to go to the vet. He told me to apply antiseptic on the wound (which was a little bit small and superficial), he also told me to give him antibiotic for 8 days and painkiller for 3 days. After almost 48h, my cat started regaining more or less of his tail mobility. But again, few days later, he couldn't raise it or wag it. No movement. I am scared and i don't know what to do. the vet told me there is nothing to be scared of, just let your cat tail heal on its own. I don't have a lot of choice as i had other cats who had to be taken to the vet too and i had faced heavy veterinary expenses. I love my cats and will do anything to save them, but now i am really feeling alone without moral or material support, since i take care of my cats alone. They are here for me and i am the only one for them. please help. what should i do to save my cat. should i follow what the vet told me to do or should i continue giving him painkillers and / or antibiotics to try to stop the pain and help him in regaining tail sensations. by the way, i think i see my cat from time to time lift his tail up to mark his territory on some of the plants, is it normal or is he just unable to move his tail from the memory of the pain ( he is afraid to lift it because he get reminded of the pain)? i dont know what to do, his wound was healed in less than 72h but he still can't move his tail. (when i pet him at the base of his tail he doesn't lift his tail as he used to, and there's now a very small bump at the wound level). please i am asking you to give me some advices as to what to do. thank you.
Black
Midnight
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Hiding
Hissing
Hostility
My cat Midnight hisses when I lift up her tail. I'm thinking that it may be nerve damage due to rubbing the base of her tail. I read about this and I learned that the base of a cat's tail is outrageously sensitive because that's where all their nerves meet.
Tail Trauma Average Cost
From 517 quotes ranging from $100 - $800
Average Cost
$350
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
